Jones to defend title versus Teixeira

A UFC light heavyweight title fight between champion Jon Jones and Glover Teixeira will headline a pay-per-view event on March 15 in Dallas.

UFC officials confirmed the bout with ESPN, following an initial report by UFC Tonight. The UFC 171 event had already been booked for American Airlines Center in Dallas, although no main event had been announced.

Jones (19-1) holds the company record for consecutive light heavyweight title defences with six. He is coming off a unanimous decision win over Alexander Gustafsson in a Fight of the Year candidate in September.

Previous reports had linked the 26-year-old to a seventh title defence attempt in February, at UFC 169 and then UFC 170. President Dana White eventually refuted both reports, as Jones was still recovering from the Gustafsson bout.

Teixeira (22-2) has earned a shot at Jones on the heels of a 20-fight win streak. The Brazilian has not lost since his fourth professional fight in March 2005.

Since signing with the UFC last year, Teixeira has compiled a 5-0 record in the Octagon, including finishes over Ryan Bader and James Te Huna.

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